New law guarantees domestic workers minimum wage in Rhode Island

Domestic workers in Rhode Island will now be paid the minimum wage under a bill signed into law by Democratic Gov. Daniel McKee. Traditionally, domestic workers haven’t been given that protection as the Rhode Island minimum wage has increased because under state law, they weren’t considered employees. The new law eliminates that exception, specifically removing a provision that classifies “any individual employed in domestic service or in or about a private home” as not an employee for the purposes of Rhode Island’s minimum wage laws. The new law goes into effect immediately. Other states have adopted similar guarantees.